Precamp breakdown: WRs and TEs

Raiders WR Chaz Schilens has gotten a lot of praise over a 15-catch rookie season.

If the running backs were a team strength in 2008, let it be clear wide receivers were by far the biggest weakness.

Never before has a Raiders’ receivers group been less productive than last year’s bunch. No receiver caught more than 22 passes and none had more than 366 receiving yards.

So, if the Raiders want to have a decent passing game for the first time since the Kerry Collins era, they will need an awful young group of players to grow up in a hurry.

Here’s a look at who JaMarcus Russell will be throwing to this season.

Projected WR starters: Chaz Schilens and Javon Walker.

Schilens struggled with health issues as a rookie but finished better than he started. Still, 15 catches isn’t much for someone who started more than half the season. He will get every chance to establish himself as the go-to wide receiver in this offense.

Walker took a massive paycut to stick around after being a massive free-agent bust. He’s the only veteran receiver on this team and, as such, is the only player who’s ever gotten it done in the NFL.

He must prove his aged body can hold up, which is no easy task. He must also prove he is mentally checked in, which again is no easy task. Walker will be rotated in and out, so this second starter’s position should be considered fluid.

Projected WR backups: Johnnie Lee Higgins and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Higgins very well could end up starting ahead of Walker, but he won’t likely be an everydown receiver. Higgins is best when fresh, both as a receiver and punt returner. He is by far the one receiving threat with the speed to score from anywhere.

Heyward-Bey will be worked in slowly as he adjusts to the NFL. His own position coach in college said he was not NFL ready, but more of a long-term project in need of development. If he can make 1-2 deep plays a game as a rookie, and keep his hamstrings healthy, the Raiders will be the better for it.

Projected bench: Louis Murphy and Jonathan Holland. In offseason workouts, Murphy seemed more polished than DHB and managed to stay healthier. Holland will fight off a batch of candidates for the No. 6 spot, destined for the inactive list on gameday.

Projected tight end starter: Zach Miller.

If not for Miller, the Raiders’ passing offense would have returned to 2006 levels of futility. He’s not a premier tight end yet, but figures to become the next AFC West great. He spends too much time in pass protection for his body’s good, though.